A detailed look at the game of Dungeons & Dragons and all things related

Friday, June 6, 2014

Friday Art Gallery I

Hey Folks!

So I have decided to move in a new direction on Fridays.
For the past few months I’ve been posing the D&D Campfire Stories; however, for the foreseeable future, I’m changing the format. Over the
next few weeks (and possibly months) I’m going to be taking an in-depth look at
one area of D&D that is often overlooked and yet is one of the strengths of
the brand: Art. From the early days right up to the men and women working on
5th Edition, D&D has been blessed with great artists, illustrators,
painters, and digital masters and I’d like the opportunity to show off some of
my favorites.

So to kick off this new section with a bang, I’d like to
begin with two pieces of recently released cover art for the D&D 5th
Edition Player’s Handbook and Dungeon Master’s Guide!

1.5th Edition Player’s Handbook
Cover (2014) by Tyler Jacobson.

Some of you old school players might be thinking that this
art looks really familiar. Well you’d be right.

This amazing piece by Tyler Jacobson is an updated
version of art done of King Snurre—the titular monarch of the 1978’s The Hall of the Fire Giant King
adventure module. The foreground depicts two heroes, a male elf or half-elf
standing on the rocks and a female human or possibly half-orc going after the
king in what the artist described as “a last ditch effort”. In the background,
you can also make out the king’s throne and his two giant fire hounds waiting
for their turn to snack on the two intruders within their master’s lair. The
king himself is quite intimidating with his fifteen foot long broadsword and
White Dragon Hide armor. I also love the fact that this piece depicts a very
intense battle scene without being too busy or crowded. Going with just two
heroes in this instance seems to have been the better choice over a full party
of four or five. If you’re interested in seeing the original pic of King Snurre,
or learning more about the iconic villain, check out his entry on Greywiki. (Here)

2.5th Edition Dungeon Master’s
Guide Cover (2014) by Tyler Jacobson.

Once again we have a wonderful
piece by Tyler Jacobson and once again the old school players are getting that
funny feeling. Well your feelings are well placed as this is a re-imagining of the
lich Acererak, undead villain and primary adversary from 1975’s the
infamous Tomb of Horrors adventure
module. According to Jacobson, this is a
depiction of the lich shortly after a major battle against several foes who
fell to his power and are now being raised back up as undead. I think someone
is trying to encourage the DM’s to go on a little power trip (as if we needed
the push!). I enjoy the angle on this piece (near the ground looking up) as it
makes me feel like I’m one of the poor souls who lay near death and I’m just
getting a preview of what is in store for me very shortly. Again, if you’d like
to know more about this villain, check out his entry on Greywiki. (Here)